K2 vs IC-7000 for satellite use.

[Bruce Beford]

Simon-

I don't believe that either the K2 or the Icom IC-7000 are suitable for
satellite use. For optimum performance and minumum frustration, you really
need full-duplex, cross band capability. You must be able to transmit on one
band, while simultaneously receiving on another band. I don't think the
IC-7000 supports this mode. Be sure before you decide.

(I use an ICOM IC-970 for this. Could be portable, if I put wheels on it...)

GL de Bruce N1RX

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:33:39 +0100
From: "Simon Brown (HB9DRV)" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 Twins software?Linux?
To: <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <023701c5f3f6$6f18ae40$[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
        reply-type=original

[Bit of a ramble]

I am currently wondering exactly what to do on the K2 front - I may buy the
IC-7000 because it has 2m and 70cms and can be taken out portable (with a
decent battery), also some of my portable locations have 220 volts available

and there are some very small switch-mode power supplies available. The
IC-7000 would solve quite a few problems in one easy-to-shift package - want

to get out on 2m, 70cms as well as HF.

Not being able to adjust the K2 TX frequency via CAT control makes the K2 +
transverter option unrealistic for satellite use, this would have been my
main use for the K2. The IC-7000 can be adjusted while in transmit.

The IC-7000 downside is RX current drain (1.2A), but solar cells can
compensate for this. Cost-wise it's much cheaper than the K2 + options +
transverters, but obviously the K2 is a different beast. And I have the KX-1

/ K1 / T1 combination anyway.

On the satellite side I am really waiting for the P3E satellite and may
stick to the 1.3 / 2.4 (and higher) GHz side of things anyway as I'm sure
the 2m / 70cms transponder will be pretty full.

What I think will happen is that I'll become familiar with the K1 first,
then try a side-by-side comparison with the K2 while out portable. I see the

K2 purchase being put back a year or maybe two - we'll just have to see.

Maybe a visit to FDIM in 2006 is needed to help make the decision - if
finances and US passport requirements permit.

Simon Brown
---
www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch


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[Simon (HB9DRV)]

I have the IC-7800 which I would use with the Elecraft transverters were I
to need duplex :-)

My plan is to use the IC-78000 for rx on satellites anyway.

Simon Brown
---
www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>


Simon-

I don't believe that either the K2 or the Icom IC-7000 are suitable for
satellite use. For optimum performance and minumum frustration, you really
need full-duplex, cross band capability. You must be able to transmit on one
band, while simultaneously receiving on another band. I don't think the
IC-7000 supports this mode. Be sure before you decide.


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[richark]

I can confirm that the new Icom IC-7000 does not have dual VFO's.

73,
Kenny, KU7M

> Simon-
>
> I don't believe that either the K2 or the Icom IC-7000 are suitable for
> satellite use. For optimum performance and minumum frustration, you really
> need full-duplex, cross band capability. You must be able to transmit on
> one
> band, while simultaneously receiving on another band. I don't think the
> IC-7000 supports this mode. Be sure before you decide.
>
> (I use an ICOM IC-970 for this. Could be portable, if I put wheels on
> it...)
>
> GL de Bruce N1RX
>
> Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:33:39 +0100
> From: "Simon Brown (HB9DRV)" <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 Twins software?Linux?
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Message-ID: <023701c5f3f6$6f18ae40$[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> [Bit of a ramble]
>
> I am currently wondering exactly what to do on the K2 front - I may buy
> the
> IC-7000 because it has 2m and 70cms and can be taken out portable (with a
> decent battery), also some of my portable locations have 220 volts
> available
>
> and there are some very small switch-mode power supplies available. The
> IC-7000 would solve quite a few problems in one easy-to-shift package -
> want
>
> to get out on 2m, 70cms as well as HF.
>
> Not being able to adjust the K2 TX frequency via CAT control makes the K2
> +
> transverter option unrealistic for satellite use, this would have been my
> main use for the K2. The IC-7000 can be adjusted while in transmit.
>
> The IC-7000 downside is RX current drain (1.2A), but solar cells can
> compensate for this. Cost-wise it's much cheaper than the K2 + options +
> transverters, but obviously the K2 is a different beast. And I have the
> KX-1
>
> / K1 / T1 combination anyway.
>
> On the satellite side I am really waiting for the P3E satellite and may
> stick to the 1.3 / 2.4 (and higher) GHz side of things anyway as I'm sure
> the 2m / 70cms transponder will be pretty full.
>
> What I think will happen is that I'll become familiar with the K1 first,
> then try a side-by-side comparison with the K2 while out portable. I see
> the
>
> K2 purchase being put back a year or maybe two - we'll just have to see.
>
> Maybe a visit to FDIM in 2006 is needed to help make the decision - if
> finances and US passport requirements permit.
>
> Simon Brown
> ---
> www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>

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[Simon (HB9DRV)]

Being very pedantic, it does have two VFOs (A and B) but does not have two
receivers.

But for me the show stopper with the K2 for satellite use is the inability
to change the transmit frequency via computer control while transmitting. In
the short term the IC-7000 is more what I want as I have the K1  / KX-1 /
IC-703 anyway.

I am sure  K2 will make its way here early next year though.

Simon Brown
---
www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch

----- Original Message -----
From: <[hidden email]>


>I can confirm that the new Icom IC-7000 does not have dual VFO's.

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